Climate change

Climate Change and the Social Contract: adapting to new environmental realities

How long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns caused by human and its consequences disrupt the social pact?

Climate change is reshaping the way we think about our social contract. As the balance between economic and social imperatives faces unprecedented challenges, new divides are emerging. Environmental constraints, such as global warming and biodiversity loss, are creating a landscape of vulnerable groups and new responsibilities for countries, citizens, and stakeholders.

How Climate Change is reshaping the EU social contract

The rapid implementation of climate policies and regulations is not only transforming industries but also the foundational structures of the EU’s social contract. For example, the shift towards greener energy may impact jobs in traditional sectors, raise costs for environmentally friendly goods, and disrupt the current economic landscape. However, if managed carefully, these changes could improve working conditions and create new opportunities.

EXPRESS2 explores how climate-related and biodiversity-related stressors challenge the EU social contract and how to develop resilience-building strategies. By combining legal research with insights from economics, political science and environmental studies, the project aims to map and prioritise these stressors. Interviews with key stakeholders from EU institutions, Member States and various agencies will provide real-world insights into how these challenges are being addressed.

Through document and policy analysis, case studies, and co-creation workshops, EXPRESS2 will develop strategies to address these environmental stressors, aiming to ensure that the EU social contract evolves to meet the demands of a changing climate.

WP7 leader

Beatriz Martínez

Kobenhavns Universitet (KU)